Our Reporter, Abuja
Manchester City on Saturday night in Istanbul matched the famous record of their once illustrious neighbours, Manchester United, by adding the champions league trophy to the two domestic titles, the premier league and the FA cup, to complete the treble in one season.
In a game that really did not live up to the hype, City defeated the Italian side, Inter Milan by a lone goal to win the only cup that they have always thirsted for.
Although City were considered the overall favourites before the game by pundits, their opponents matched them player-for-player for almost the entire duration of the game. In fact had Inter taken the earlier chances that came their way especially in the first half, the result might have been different.
But as it often happens in these kind of games, City took the first clear chance that came their way after the break. The excellent Bernardo Silva dribbled his way to the right flank, pulled back a cross, which Inter failed to deal with properly and the ball rolled kindly for Rodri who guided a short beyond Onana in goal for the Italian side.
After that setback, Inter came back to the game forcefully looking for an equaliser but Romelu Lukaku’s wayward finishes on the night coupled with Edison’s saves in goal for the champions ensured that the night belonged to Pep Guardiola’s men, to cap a brilliant season.
It is only the tenth occasion a European side has won a Treble, with City joining Celtic (1967), Ajax (1972), PSV Eindhoven (1988), Manchester United (1999), Barcelona (2009 and 2015), Inter Milan (2010) and Bayern Munich (2013 and 2020).
City captain, Ilkay Gundogan, who lifted the trophy in Istanbul, praised the efforts of his teammates.
“This is a really proud moment for everyone at this football club,” he said. “We work so hard every single day, and we have wanted to win this trophy for so long.
“The Champions League is a beautiful competition, and we are all incredibly happy to have won. This team deserves the highest recognition and winning the Champions League elevates us to the very top of the game.
“And to win the Treble is something amazing. It is the ultimate achievement for any club team, and we have done it. It reflects the quality we have in our squad, but it also shows how dedicated we are.
“I want to thank the Manchester City fans for their support this season. I can honestly say that we could not have done this without them. They have been amazing, and they deserve this moment.”
